I am currently looking to get my first Superb (Elegance) in the next month or so but am torn between the 170 and the 140 engine. I have seen two (not driven yet) both identical spec but the 140 has half the milage of the 170.

What is the forums views on the choice as I am no longer a 'boy racer'. In proctical terms is there a big difference between the two?

Thanks

Martin

How old is the 140 you are looking at? as there are two different versions of that engine.

ISTR that torque figures are very similar. 140 is enough for me, even towing 1 ton of caravan. Make sure you're getting a CR engine, not the PD.

Stuart

Mannyo - Both are 2009 models

StuartAB - is there a 140 CR all the adds I have seen are 140 PD, or is it just coz I am looking at earlier cars

there is definitely a 140cr version.

Jozisko - was that about circa 2009?

No, the 140CR didn’t appear until 2010 (around May IIRC)

OK so unless my lotto numbers come up it would be between the 140 PD and the 170 CR. As a novice, from a Skoda point of view, what in simple terms is the difference?

In general terms:

PD is louder and more vibratey;

PD delivers it's torque in a lump compared to CR's more flat delivery;

PD can often be chipped (flashed) via the ODB port whereas the CRs usually need the ECU taken out and opened;

CR injection pump is a lot more finicky about quality of fuel compared the unit injectors on a PD. I'm not sure about the cost difference between PD and CR injectors.

And someone else might confirm:

PD DPF is a retro-design and further from the exhaust manifold, meaning that it doesn't burn off as well as the CR DPFs and is more likely to soot up.

I do so like having to make two attempts at making a post as supposedly I hadn't signed in, despite making the "remember me " box being ticked. So when I signed in as the system had failed, my proposed post wording had been lost after I had finished typing it, so why does the system wait till the posting is ready to be posted and not at the outset. Not very well programmed, so well done system! May I suggest if one wants to make a post and hasn't signed in AGAIN, the system tells us at the start of the post being made and not to wait till the point of trying to " send " it.

What I had tried to post re the difference between the 170 and 140 engines,was along the lines of was there not a problem with the 140 PD engine, with the oil pump drive shaft in particular being too thin and prone to breaking, with consequences!. Or was that scare finally dismissed as baseless. I know I was glad for the long delay in the making of my car, ordered in April 2010 but not made till Nov. during which time the CR engine took over in the Sept. I think.

The PD140 that was troublesome was the one fitted to the MKI Superb, the MKII used a different PD140 and does not suffer with the oil pump drive issues.

Guys - thanks for all the info, I understand that there is a technical difference between the two engines but purely from a driving point of view is there much difference? If I go for a 140 PD am I going to be drumming my fingers wondering why it is so slow?

In the current cars, the 170 is actually lower geared than the 140 by about 10%. I think this is simply so it feels like it has even more of a torque advantage than the 30Nm it actually has.

The PD will actually probably feel quicker than the 170CR, it won’t be, but the delivery in a PD gives you a large surge of power whereas the CR is more linear.

I prefer the PD delivery myself.

I drove my old PD140 Superb MK2 for 2 years, and also prefer the PD power delivery. Compared to my old PD140 Octavia, the engine in the superb was very quiet due to the improved sound insulation and sitting in the driving seat it was hard to tell it was a diesel.

The PD engine is more advanced than the CR engine, it was only dropped because it cost too much to make it compliant with the latest emissions requirements. CR Engines are based on technology thats been around for donkeys years, so easily adapted as they are cheap.

The PD140 DPF in the Superb MK2 is exactly the same as the CR version, and in the 44K miles I did in mine it was never a problem despite being used for a LOT of short trips.

Thanks Guys - that makes more sense. I was thinking it had to be a 170 CR but if that is the case then either would be fine and possibly the 140 PD may even be slightly better

my last superb had the pd engine went well but made hell of a noise one of the main reasons i sold it .best thing is to try both the pd should be cheaper to buy.

bill

PD sounds like a tractor and is a raw drive. The CR 170 is the closest you will get to a petrol engine style drive but with a diesel.

For me the PD engine does not suite the car. It is more suited to a fabia or golf. I have the 1.9pd in my fabia sport and it is perfect.

For me I would go for the 170CR in a superb everytime.

Please ignore this...I just wanna see whether or not I can insert a photo.

Cheers.

Edited 16 November, 201213 yr by mandp

I've had both, and at first I thought the CR170 was gutless - especially as I'd remapped the PD......... essentially the characteristics of power delivery are polar opposites. PD delivers gobs of torque up until 3K and to get the best requires a short shift style of driving. CR170 delivers it's wares in a far more linear fashion, and as someone else says, much like a petrol offers go right through to the redline

Tough choice, but I find the 170 better refined

Sam I agree the CR is more linear and petrol like but don't be fooled into thinking the power keeps going to the redline… it doesn't, it tails off just over 4,100 RPM.

Stock 170CR:

Thanks for the sound advice Guys

As a comparison the PD 170 vs the cr 170 although both made a bit more on this dyno

You can see the big surge in torque the pd engine delivers

Am I being "thick" here, but how do I know what line is what?

Am I being "thick" here, but how do I know what line is what?

Nah, typical turbo diesel curves. Top two are torque, bottom two are power.